Biomedical applications electrode coatings

The silver-silver chloride electrode has characteristics similar to a perfectly nonpolarizable electrode and is practical for use in many biomedical applications. The electrode (Figure 4.1a) consists of a silver base structure that is coated with a layer of the ionic compound silver chloride. Some of the silver chloride when exposed to light is reduced to metallic silver hence, a typical silver-silver chloride electrode has finely divided metallic silver within a matrix of silver chloride on its surface. Because silver chloride is relatively insoluble in aqueous solutions, this surface remains stable. Moreover, because there is minimal polarization associated with this electrode, motion artifact is reduced compared to polarizable electrodes such as the platinum electrode. Furthermore, owing to the reduction in polarization, there is also a smaller effect of frequency on electrode impedance, especially at low frequencies. 

For these materials to be utilized in biomedical in vivo and in vitro applications, it is imperative that the material be sterilized before use. Sterilization of these materials can be performed using a variety of methods such as ethylene oxide gas [48-50], ultraviolet light [51,52], ethanol washing [53], and autoclaving [12,54], An alternative approach to sterilization of the formed ICPs is the polymerization of the ICP under sterile conditions. This approach was utilized by Richardson et al. [55] to prepare PPy-coated electrodes for use in auditory nerve studies. 

Conductive polymer nanocomposites may also be used in different electrical applications such as the electrodes of batteries or display devices. Linseed oil-based poly(urethane amide)/nanostuctured poly(l-naphthylamine) nanocomposites can be used as antistatic and anticorrosive protective coating materials. Castor oil modified polyurethane/ nanohydroxyapatite nanocomposites have the potential for use in biomedical implants and tissue engineering. Mesua ferrea and sunflower seed oil-based HBPU/silver nanocomposites have been found suitable for use as antibacterial catheters, although more thorough work remains to be done in this field. ° Sunflower oil modified HBPU/silver nanocomposites also have considerable potential as heterogeneous catalysts for the reduction of nitro-compounds to amino compounds. Castor oil-based polyurethane/ epoxy/clay nanocomposites can be used as lubricants to reduce friction and wear. HBPU of castor oil and MWCNT nanocomposites possesses good shape memory properties and therefore could be used in smart materials. ... 

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